Did this man really just-?

Though I quickly remember this man seems to know nothing yet comes from a land far beyond ours.

The day I met him still boggles my mind. A winged man I nearly thought was some sort of demon. He was more like a lost pup though. No idea where he was or how to speak the language.

Though I believe I'd take it all back now if I could. I had no idea at the time that my aid would go to a man as villainous as him.

Not only taking over the country but exeuting hundreds if not thousands. Just for the sport of it seemingly. I've heard plenty of the raised taxes and how greedy he's been with tye countries resources. He originally took the country with a rebel force but once to took the throne had all his comrades executed.

I have to keep reminding myself this man knows nothing of our history or struggle here. Nor does he realise the position he's put me in.

How can a man who comes from a land with textiles so fine, cloth stronger and lighter than ever yet be so dumb.

"What do you say?" He smiled

I want to wipe that grin off his dumb fucking face. My claws at his neck lower though, "I am a crimina-"

"Pardoned" he shrugged

"We haven't had an empress in this kingdom in hundreds of years"

"I don't see a problem with it"

I try not to scoff, "You have no clue the history of this kingdom"

He raised an eyebrow, "That's why I want a native empress"

It finally clicks in my brain. He hasn't even realised the state of the country, "Kei-"

"Hawks" he corrected, "You will call me Hawks here"

Did he give me a fake name before? What's his deal, "Fine, Hawks, why do you think I was placed in this situation of execution" I cross my arms

I take to a stroll around him. The coliseum is full of people but that will perfectly demonstrate my point. Plus it gives me a chance to make eyecontact with all the archers trained on me. Knowing their position is half the battle.

"You are a witch, I guess Magic is a powerful source here" he muttered

"True, but do tell, don't you have a warlock in your council?"

He bunched his brows in thought, "You're right, is it because of a pledge to the kingdom?"

"Look at the crowd and tell me what you see, or more importantly a lack there of"

On my next rotation I could see him put the pieces together.

I decide to explain what he sees, "This kingdom is lacking women. They are being slaughtered for witchcraft and disobedience. We are seen as a lower class. This started when women were found to have a better knack for the magical arts and were unable or unwilling to use those talents in warfare. They were then deemed enemy's to the crown"

"Fine, the kingdom has a past. I am not those past rulers"

"My reputation could ruin your kingdom, your people wouldn't trust you. I am an enemy of the crown"

"Im not of the crown and the people don't trust me in the first place" he smirked, "Im no king, I took over as emperor. I rule with fear alone, I choose the kings of my realm. And I wish to spark a new Era. Starting here"

He thinks frilly words and empty promises will sway me, "And what of my freedom?"

"Its yours as long as you choose to be my bride"

Is this man insane? He must be, has he only gotten dumber since I let him go on his own? "To be shared"

"Shared?" He looked visibly distraught by that

"You know nothing of the court do you?" I hum

"No matter. No sharing, you'll be your own person. Just as you were in the forest but in my castle. I'll give you the good life even"

"Whats your end goal?" I huff

He seemed to lose steam at that. He stopped to think for a moment, "That's a good question. Maybe I feel indebted to you. I wish to spare you from this how you spared me when I first arrived here"

"And marriage is your proposal?" I stop infront of him ready for this conversation to be over

"You're beautiful and I have much to learn. I have ruled alone for the past year and my lack of knowledge of the culture has already caused enough suffering"

"And if I am just as corrupt as you? Or simply uneducated?"

"What am I to lose?" He shrugged

Hawks POV

What the fuck is wrong with me? I have 1 mission. Be evil. I'm a murderous tyrant. That's pretty evil but... why the hell is it so BORING!

Don't get me wrong. I've had numerous heroes pop up already. Problem is I have the upper hand. I've gotten so bored. Oh yeah sure, kill another guy. My bloodlust was over as soon as it began.

Maybe I want to rewrite this story. I want to become the king who changed. Maybe from love, maybe from a witches spell, who knows.

This woman is HIGHLY dangerous. Easily on equal footing if we had a fair fight. That's exactly what I'm making.

If she's my empress she'll be my equal. We can argue, skirmish and maybe even come to some blows. I don't want to hurt her but I crave a fight.

The adrenaline pumping through my veins as she mercilessly set those claws to my jugular is what is leading my brain. The mission is done in my brain. I have been a bad dude. Done a LOT of bad stuff. Now I need something else.

I feel like such a junky for excitement. Hell, I'd be content if she even managed to kill me in my sleep. At least I'd return to my world and continue my real work.

She looked beyond confused and more than on guard with me.

She was about to speak when a loud snap was heard and a lion pounced, straight towards her.

I readied myself but at the last second stopped myself. No, this is her fight. If I'm to know her level of skill in battle I can't fight for her.

Though the fight never even started. The feline went from claws to paws in a matter of seconds after she evaded the attack. I barely saw the purple powder hang in the air around the lions face.

The crowd that had previously rawred in excitement and cheers fell silent as the beast stalked to the witchy woman.

She only glanced at me as she took the lions head in her palm to scratch its chin lightly.

I could hear the soft Humm of the crowds murmers. The unease built.

"She charmed the beast" one of my men hissed

"Witch" another cursed allowed

I tried to stop myself but my smile broke and I found myself laughing, "Of course. As expected. Come, let's sit somewhere we can have a proper conversation" I fight my giggles

"What the hell is so funny to you?" she glared

"You're the best thing to happen to me in this world" I hum to myself wrapping an arm around her to pull her to walk with me. A more competent handler getting to lion back to its confines.

She immediately swatted the appendage away as I expected looking absolutely beside herself, "What is wrong with you" she mumbled

"What can I say? Emperors gone mad I guess" I shrug waving my guards to ease themselves as I walked out of the arena with her

"I never agreed to this" she still followed me

"Better than death"

"Debatable" she grumbled.

I smirk as the carriage comes around to pick us up. I open the door for her but I only get a glare as she went in. I sat opposite of her and decided to take a moment to appreciate her.

The golden clawcaps are so intricately made they nearly distract from the pure black of her hands. It fades into her skin tone higher up her wrist. Gold decorates her. The bangles on her ankle and wrist chime softly when she moves.

Its almost saddening seeing her in such torn up clothing. Some ratty attire.

She of course refused to talk to me making for a long and boring carriage ride. Once at the castle I thought she'd liven up seeing the extravagance but once again am disappointed with her neutrality or hostility.

"I can escort you-"

"I'll find my own way" she side eyed me, "I'll ask a servant where my room is"

This is either going to go great or terribly.

Readers POV

Went from my nice little cottage, cozy in the woods. I was set. I had my food managed, water purified, i could Practice magic without being bothered. Now I'm stuck here.

I scowl at the fancy columns and marble flooring. Every step I take fills the air with sound. No amount of care silences my every step.

A young butler hurried to me, "I'll show you to your room"

I follow him while he bounced excitedly, "Are you marrying the emperor?"

"No"

He stopped looking confused, "why not?"

"I simply don't wish for this type of life"

"Its luxury though. The emperor even said you're free from your marital duties if you marry him. That's any womans wildest dream!" He continued to walk as I follow

"My dream is to live out my life in my cottage"

He relaxed shaking his head, "You really are a witch...arent you?"

"One of the few left" I boast

"You...arent gonna kill him...right?" He opened the door to an all too extravagant room"

He looks almost sad. I guess being a little reassuring wouldn't hurt, "Killing him would be too much of an inconvenience for me"

He looked relieved showing me into the room, "Clothing in this wardrobe is all yours. And... please conciter the kings offer?"

"I'll conciter but doubt my acceptance to his offer" I close my door after him.

There is a lot to think of. So much has happened in so little time. First I want to change. Though looking at the wardrobe... this fancy shit isn't to my liking.

After a MAJOR change of wardrobe which may have ended with many scraps of fabric on the floor I decided a mental map of the castle was in order.

If I was ever to even conciter marrying that...tyrant. I would need to steel myself mentally. Changes would be in order. Starting with this castle. Less glamor. More practicality.

As I walk this is just reinforced. So much extravagance. Is this all for his ego? Sense of status above everyone else? Probably.

It wasn't until I found the gardens I felt more relaxed. Though I find myself disappointed here too. It feels so...unnatural.

The trees and flowers are bound to pots, the grass perfectly clipped not a single flower out of place. A large tree has many branches removed and the roots that peeked up from the earth looked to be half hacked up.

A gardener was brandishing an ax taking it to one of these roots.

"Sir" I address

He grunted in my direction

"Please stop. The roots are beautiful. You're hurting the tree"

"Trees don't got feelin's miss. I'm just doin' ma job" he rolled his eyes continuing the work.

I flinch as the ax is buried back into the roots. This has to change. Maybe the power wouldn't be so bad, so let's go test it.